Custom Home Builder in San Rafael

We serve Northern California across three regions: the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, and the Central Valley. Our published guides cover 14 counties and 88 cities. Our Castro Valley and Sacramento offices support local estimating, permit coordination, and project planning across these regions.

Financing may be available for eligible projects with approved credit. Available terms depend on lender approval, project scope, and current programs. Your project manager can review the options that apply before work begins. We also accept checks, ACH, and major credit cards.

Yes. Hamilton Exteriors holds CSLB License #1078806, active general liability coverage, and the required contractor bond. We also hold GAF Master Elite and James Hardie Elite Preferred credentials. We can provide current proof of coverage before work begins.

Permit requirements depend on the project scope and local jurisdiction. Hamilton Exteriors coordinates required applications, plan documents, corrections, and inspections. Permit fees and allowances appear in the proposal before construction begins.

A San Rafael custom-home price needs the plans, finish selections, and a review of the lot. Ask for separate costs for site preparation, foundation work, utility connections, permits, and the house construction. Confirm design and engineering fees in the estimate. Do not use a hillside allowance without checking the actual site.

Architect-led design-build. Unlike most custom home builders in San Rafael, Hamilton Exteriors is led by a licensed architect. Alex Hamilton Li evaluates every design decision for structural feasibility, material performance, and cost impact before construction begins — eliminating the expensive redesign cycles that happen when architects and builders work separately. Marin County experience. We have built custom homes across Marin County, from Mill Valley to Novato, and know the specific requir

San Rafael custom home construction costs $350 to $800 per square foot (Hamilton Exteriors 2024-2026 project data). A 2,500 sq ft home typically costs $900,000 to $2,000,000 including design, engineering, permits, and construction. Hillside lots with difficult access or poor soil conditions tend toward the higher end. Hamilton Exteriors provides itemized estimates with a guaranteed maximum price at contract signing.

California law requires a licensed architect or engineer to design residential structures over two stories or exceeding certain size thresholds. Hamilton Exteriors' founder Alex Hamilton Li is a licensed architect and general contractor, so design and construction are handled in-house under one contract — no separate architect needed.

Custom home construction in San Rafael takes 12 to 18 months from permit approval. The design and permitting phase adds 4 to 8 months depending on architectural complexity and San Rafael's plan review timelines. Total timeline from initial consultation to move-in is typically 18 to 24 months.